Covering every hamlet and precinct in America, big and small, the stories span arts and sports, business and history, innovation and adventure, generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love, past and present. In short, Our American Stories tells the story of America to Americans.
About Lee Habeeb
Lee Habeeb co-founded Laura Ingraham’s national radio show in 2001, moved to Salem Media Group in 2008 as Vice President of Content overseeing their nationally syndicated lineup, and launched Our American Stories in 2016. He is a University of Virginia School of Law graduate, and writes a weekly column for Newsweek.
For more information, please visit ouramericanstories.com.
I Came to New York City Dead: The Story of Sarah Gonzalez's Redemption
Triumph and Disaster: The Life of Rudyard Kipling
On this episode of Our American Stories, the life of the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, Rudyard Kipling, was filled with tragedy. He survived a difficult childhood to go on to become one of the most celebrated authors of his day, penning such classics as "The Jungle Book" and "Just So Stories.” Here’s The History Guy with the story of Rudyard Kipling.
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Eli Whitney and His Fake Interchangeable Gun Parts Demo
On this episode of Our American Stories, when Apple founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone to the public in 2007, he used multiple iPhones. If one crashed or had another issue, he secretly swapped it for another one. He had to show off a specific set of functions in a certain order, called the “golden path.” But way back in 1801, another young inventor named Eli Whitney–already known for his invention of the cotton gin in 1794–seized an opportunity to try to make his fortune. Here to tell the story is Ashley Hlebinsky. Ashley is the former co-host of Discovery Channel’s “Master of Arms,” the former curator in charge of the Cody Firearms Museum, and president of The Gun Code, LLC.
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Phillis Wheatley: The Enslaved Poet Who Met with George Washington AND the King of England
On this episode of Our American Stories, Phillis Wheatley, the first published black poet, has the remarkable distinction of being invited to meet with both King George III and George Washington. Lesli Johnson of the American Village tells her story.
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Thomas Hudner: The MOH Recipient Who Crashed His Plane On Purpose To Get To His Downed Wingman
On this episode of Our American Stories, it might seem like an April Fool’s joke: The Navy commissioned its newest destroyer on April 1, 2017, and named it after a man who deliberately crash-landed a perfectly good aircraft behind enemy lines. But the man who became the first American serviceman in the Korean War to receive the Medal of Honor—and the man who lent his name to the USS Thomas Hudner had a darn good reason, perhaps the best of reasons. Here’s the History Guy with the story.
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The Truth Behind the “Cursed” Millionaire Heiress, Sarah Winchester
On this episode of Our American Stories, Sarah Winchester was a woman of independence, drive, and courage who lives on in legend. And the mansion she built is world renowned as much for the many design curiosities and innovations as it is for the reported paranormal activity. Here to separate fact from fiction is Ashley Hlebinsky.
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“Peeping Tom” and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 14)
On this episode of Our American Stories, here again with his reoccurring series is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases author, Andrew Thompson, as he continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language.
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Rebirth of a Legend: The Untold Story of Steve McQueen
On this episode of Our American Stories, we are about to hear the untold story of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, born on This Day in History in 1930, told by a McQueen expert, Marshall Terrill.
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From At-Risk Youth to Gentlemen: Reclaiming the Youth of the Mississippi Delta
On this episode of Our American Stories, Marks Youth Outreach is a nonprofit organization that all started through the work of a few men in Quitman County. These men saw a need for reaching out to and mentoring the at-risk youth of their community, and decided to do something about it. Joining us is one of those men, named Edgar Sculark, with the story of how it got started.
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"Nest Egg & No Dice" and the Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 15)
On this episode of Our American Stories, here again with his reoccurring series is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases author, Andrew Thompson, as he continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language.
Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.